For the Common Good: The Ethics of Leadership in the 21st Century

Against the all-too-familiar backdrop of corporate malfeasance, scandal in our religious institutions, political chicanery to serve ulterior motives, and constant reminders of the corruptive influence of power, For the Common Good showcases the insights, reflections, and recommendations of some of today's most forward-thinking and inspiring leaders, applying their expertise in fields such as ecology, education, and conflict resolution. Today's challenges test leaders to their very core, and require a fundamentally new kind of leadership committed to the greater good of society. From Nobel Prize winner, John Hume, to Leader-to-Leader Institute Chair, Frances Hesselbein, Harvard University's Howard Gardner to President Jimmy Carter, the contributors argue that because individuals, institutions, and societies are now so profoundly connected and inter-related, every decision of consequence has a ripple effect. Leaders of all stripes, including corporate executives, politicians, social activists, scientists, and educators, must display courage, integrity, humility, and the wherewithal to consider the long-term impact of their decisions and actions; most importantly, they must engage in dialogue and recognize that creative solutions to complex problems require collaboration. The result is a provocative and multi-dimensional exploration of leadership in troubled and troubling times--but with a hopeful note that individuals and organizations will rise to the challenges.

John C. Knapp is University Professor and Mann Family Professor of Ethics at Samford University. He is also the Leadership Director, Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership, at Samford. He has also been visiting lecturer at the University of Wales and Adjunct Professor of Ethics at Columbia Theological Seminary. Knapp is the editor ofFor the Common Good: The Ethics of Leadership in the 21st Century (Praeger, 2007).